Thank you for not interrupting the song like so many reactors do. It's a song that needs to be listened to without interruptions.
@faithnyou173211 ай бұрын
Bobbie Gentry explained: "The message of the song revolves around the nonchalant way the family talks about the suicide. The song is a study in unconscious cruelty." A very haunting and unforgettable song! I was 10 yrs old when it came out, and I still never tire of listening to it! Thanks for this reaction, JM! ✌💙✌
@MattJocks9 ай бұрын
What strikes me is how the family seems oblivious to what the narrator is going through.
@franklopez28039 ай бұрын
I was 15. I wouldn’t turn off the radio to go to sleep until this came on. Last chord, click.
@perryeisen15722 ай бұрын
Congratulations Sir on being the only reactor to this song to not interrupt it while it’s playing to comment on the factoids at the bottom of the screen. 👍
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Bobbie Gentry is an American singer-songwriter. She was one of the first female artists in America to compose and produce her own material. Gentry rose to international fame in 1967 with her Southern Gothic narrative "Ode to Billie Joe".... Once you've heard it, you'll never forget it.
@sourisvoleur485410 ай бұрын
"Message in empathy" -- you NAILED it! I'm impressed! One of the things that stands out for me is how natural all the dialogue is. You can imagine people actually saying all those things -- nothing sounds poetic or forced. Fantastic writing.
@EricNess-sc3rh6 ай бұрын
I enjoy your intelligent reactions
@glennburch108111 ай бұрын
This song was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, winning three. It spanned several genres, charting in the Pop Singles chart, the Adult Contemorary Charts, the Hot R&B Charts, and the Hot Country Songs list. When released in July 10 of 1967 it went to #1 and stayed there for 4 weeks! Record sales topped 40 million. I was 10 years old when it released and I remeber it like yesterday, never heard anything like it. The album unseated the Beatles Sgt Pepper after 15 weeks at the #1 spot. Great reaction, TY.
@angelaharper85611 ай бұрын
she was the 1st female country artist allowed to write, direct and produce her own music and videos. very smart - majored in philosophy. this was a true story, later made into a movie or documentary. all that and the voice that could clutch your guts w smooth guitar skills. she later said the song was about the unconscious cruelty of not being aware of another's suffering
@lynneyoung-beggs236311 ай бұрын
The song is actually fictional & she allowed the audience to decide what she & Billie Joe threw off the bridge. However the point of the song was her family’s insensitivity to her feelings.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Beautiful Bobbie Gentry has an estimated net worth of $100 million. A chronological, complete list of the enigmatic Southern Gothic siren's 46 compositions recorded between 1967 and 1977. Forty-six Bobbie Gentry compositions have been issued, principally from her 1967-1971 stretch on Capitol Records. She was one of the original owners of the NBA's Phoenix suns, owns tens of millions of dollars worth of real estate (mainly in California) and earned more than $3 million in royalties when Reb McEntire covered her song Fancy.
@jerryjeromehawkins171211 ай бұрын
I had this 45 when I was a kid... passed down to me from my older brothers and sisters. It was so eerie and scary sounding and I never really understood the story being so young. But... I knew it was about something that went wrong. Listening to this on a rainy, stormy afternoon? I still remember it well.
@oldschoolsaint11 ай бұрын
Very nice job young man. You have a wonderful disposition and give off a very warm and sincere vibe. Keep doing what you're doing. Success lies right around the corner for you.
@user-lp8gv1ys8vАй бұрын
It was my father 's favorite song, and yes the song is well written.
@angiek679911 ай бұрын
A couple of more songs with solid imagery and writing, Bob Dylan’s “Tangled up in Blue” and Gordon Lightfoot “The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. The former is a great look at relationships and life experience, the latter is the story of an actual shipping tragedy on Lake Superior. Both songs are like watching the movie ✌️
@CritterKeeper0110 ай бұрын
If you're singing about shipwrecks, I prefer Stan Rogers singing "The Mary Ellen Carter"! Doesn't drag on as much and a much more powerful story and message. Check it out if you've never heard it!
@ericanderson888611 ай бұрын
Some great southern gothic made into a song. There was a movie that came afterwards. Yep nobody knows what was thrown off of that bridge.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
My guess is a baby.
@MellissaBoomeroftheNight7 ай бұрын
The film, which she described as accurate to her idea of what she had in mind, is even more disturbing. Your facial expressions were so perfect. You can tell that you really get it. Life for kids from all kinds of backgrounds can come too soon.
@donnalehman68059 ай бұрын
This gaves me full body chills.
@doubleDD27411 ай бұрын
Right on point. A message about empathy. Truthfully, as good as this version is, the studio version is even better.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Someday JM... You too will know every word to this dramatic story.
@vickihirsch834011 ай бұрын
Everyone worries about what they threw off the bridge. But the more poignant part of the story is how her family goes on their day while she grieves the loss of her best friend.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
AWESOME!!!...Thoroughly AWESOME!!. This song is legendary. A story like none other in any other song. Thanks again JM. #69
@tashawilliams19287 ай бұрын
I remember the movie "Ode to Billy Joe" Robbie Benson had the most beautiful blue eyes
@beatleschick1000Ай бұрын
Yes, but the year the song was written in the year the movie came out, they’re absolutely did not need to be the scene in that movie that made Robbie Benson feel like he was gay to kill himself. He loved the girl I guess Sue Bobbie Gentry we’re supposed to be and he got her pregnant and was worried about that, but then that old man that raped him make convinced him he was gay and that’s why he killed himself. That kind of stuff wasn’t going on in the early 70s in the movies, and didn’t need to be part of it in my opinion.
@tashawilliams1928Ай бұрын
@@beatleschick1000 I need to watch it again. I was around 14 when it came out. I never understood why he jumped. I'm sure that scene went over my head. 🤔
@vickiz607610 ай бұрын
There was a movie made from the song also, same name in 1976
@TonyM196110 ай бұрын
Another great song by a female artist is Loretta Lynn (her song list is a very long one) "Fist City". Totally different vibe, but great music
@tessasnow11 ай бұрын
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald…true story , happened in ‘75 I believe Sung by Gordon Lightfoot 🇨🇦🖖🏻
@bradsense743111 ай бұрын
New viewer here. I have watched many reactions to this special song. Your insight to this song is best I have come across. The writing, her patient delivery of lyrics, the effective strings etc etc you seem to get it. I usually watch several videos before I decide to subscribe. You got me subbed with this one reaction. Getting ready to dive into your channel.
@robertdeck630911 ай бұрын
The accompaniment was lit
@mitzifrancis984311 ай бұрын
Yes! This is a perennially haunting and fascinating song! Another story-telling song written and performed live on a TV show is Fancy. She's wearing a skin-tight red jumpsuit and making iconic 60's moves. Many years later, country artist Reba MacIntyre did a cover of Fancy, but I prefer Bobbie's version.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Nobody knows what they threw off the bridge, my guess a baby, and the guilt was more than he could live with.
@regulator92689 ай бұрын
How would the daughter get away with being pregnant and having a baby without her mom knowing?
@mimimusick97349 ай бұрын
Bobbie Gentry said it wasn't a baby.
@gailcalderone52296 ай бұрын
I agree 💯....It might have been still born..Also the fact that Year later she continues to throw flowers makes me think that's where her baby n lover are..As we would do if we go to a cemetery to respect our love ones .
@gailcalderone52296 ай бұрын
@@regulator9268The baby could have been still born and I think Billy Joe committed suicide because he couldn't live with the guilt..As for the family it doesn't seem like they paid attention to anything other than what's going on with chores..They didn't even put two n two together that the daughter had no appetite... Country pumpkins..
@RLucas30005 ай бұрын
My guess is she secretly loves Billy Joe, but they are best friends as far as he is concerned. He’s revealed to her he has funny feelings about other guys, and shows her a love letter he wrote to a male classmate but never sent. She tells him he is a good person and urges him to send it, but he decides he just can’t and together they throw the pages into the water. The next day he decides he can’t live with who he is any more, and the hate he will get if the town finds out. So he jumps from the same spot where they threw the pages. His friend weeps for losing him, both as a best friend and a secret love. Even a year later, she still weeks at this loss.
@naudianeels13289 ай бұрын
We're so much more connected than anyone realizes ❤️
@drdarbyj3 ай бұрын
Merci beaucoup
@lynnieiapichino112111 ай бұрын
☮️💙💙💙🔥😎love her
@Boatzilla211 ай бұрын
What did they throw off the bridge? A baby? This song always gives me chills. Great reaction.
@angelagoodwin575811 ай бұрын
This was a favorite of mine when it first came out in 1967. I even remember it being played on R&B stations. There's also a movie of the same title released in 1976.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Like having a Classic Rock Juke Box, with a pleasant and interesting twist.... YOU. As you may know I put your videos in a folder and on memory sticks to share with family and friends. My four grand kids will hear these classics for the first time watching your reactions. Thanks for having so much Class and great content I can share with them.
@dabassmann11 ай бұрын
I think back to the first time I saw @JMBoyTV. How far he has come from not knowing what instruments were playing or the names of anybody playing or singing.... to now. He has a full understanding of what it takes to compose, orchestrate, and sing a song and give a very clear, concise, and meaningful reaction. JMBoy, we're very impressed with your progress, my friend....keep it going!!! @AliasMark69
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Absolutely agree. I've been watching/suggesting to reactors over 4 years, JM is by far the best of them all. Smart guy choosing some great tunes@@dabassmann
@KimberlyLopez-hp7yj7 ай бұрын
This song is the name of a movie Ode to Billie Joe
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Bobbie Gentry - Fancy (Live)
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIbNf5WbdquUopo
@trishriley968111 ай бұрын
❤
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
"A Message In Like, Empathy".... You nailed it perfectly, and I'm not at all surprised, you always seem to get each song right about the music, lyrics, performances. Maybe that's what we like about your reactions. (Some ladies like your smile too)
@TexasMagnolia11 ай бұрын
Bobbie was the last of “Southern Gothic”. I highly recommend you hear a song written and fought hard to record by Dolly Parton called: Down from Dover. Legendary females artist as Dolly and Loretta Lynn wrote of real life struggles, controversial topics for women of the 60’s. Then, had to fight the male dominated industry of the time. These powerful women won every time!
@dwhite84911 ай бұрын
Man this took me back to the summer after graduating High School - thank you it was a great summer
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Well JM... What do you think they threw off the bridge?, that caused Billie Joe to commit suicide? Glad you liked it, knew you would, you're too smart not to like it. Have a Classic Day.
@Bran08Eman4 ай бұрын
So much soul just like Tracy Chapman would summon years later. Oddly, human creativity thrives in poverty and suffering. God works in mysterious ways.
@davidwcooney11 ай бұрын
As others commented, the song is a demonstration of unconscious cruelty. Not only is the family making indifferent comments about the death of Billy Joe, but they are also oblivious to how the news has impacted the daughter who is sitting at the table with them. The story is fictional, but could be based on something real. I don't think that Bobbie Gentry ever revealed if the girl at the table was actually Billy Joe's girlfriend or what was thrown off the bridge. The way this is written is brilliant. It got people to speculate on what exactly happened and discuss the reactions.
@marvinbone137910 ай бұрын
HOW MARVELOUSLY UNUSUAL !! a Reactioner letting us listen to the entire song, with no interruptions whatsoever, no pauses nor silly interjections.Then, evaluating the song sensibly, beautifully and succinctly.
@SusanW71411 ай бұрын
Classic
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
This tune has got some attention.... I knew it would.
@daniel_aka_bombscare7 ай бұрын
my Grand father loved his country music and EVERYONE in my family knows the lyrics to this song.. the whole family all came together for christmas every year (32 family members) and this song got played day and night and from Boys to the girls we all sang along word for word❤❤❤
@danevans58238 ай бұрын
When people use the word artist, Bobbie Gentry's face is shining.This sing has me sitting at the table chowing down and grieving with her about Billy Joe.Apparently the movie industry thought that way too and made the song a hit movie
@donald13796 ай бұрын
Great story telling and strings in the back beautiful....thanks
@Bluewizard713111 ай бұрын
Southern Gothic at it's best.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
I wore the number 69 for 18 seasons as a QB on a Football Team and Pitcher on a Ball team. I'm happy to say you just hit my number with the names of artist you are"Not Familiar With" added to your OUTSTANDING PLAYLIST.. Those names are.... The Chambers Brothers.. Rush.. Bob Dylan.. Lynyrd Skynyrd.. Supertramp.. John Lennon.. Righteous Brothers.. Creedence Clearwater Revival.. Procal Harum.. Santana.. Jethro Tull.. Don Henley.. Janis Joplin.. Kansas.. Doobie Brothers.. Jimi Hendrix.. David Bowie.. IRON Butterfly.. Bee Gees.. ZZ Top.. Joe Cocker.. Elton John.. Eric Burdon- Animals.. Peter Frampton.. Boston.. Anita Baker.. Quicksilver Messenger Service.. Chaka Khan.. Billy Joel.. Carly Simon.. Tom Petty.. Tears For Fears.. Moody Blues.. Simply Red.. Bad Company.. The DOORS.. Cream.. Steely Dan.. Allman Brothers Band.. Phil Collins.. Boz Scaggs.. UFO.. Stevie Ray Vaughan.. Dire Straights.. The WHO.. Frank Zappa.. Cheech & Chong.. Robert Palmer.. TOTO.. Sade.. YES.. Chicago.. STYX.. Alanis Morissette.. Jason Aldean.. Ted Nugent.. Edgar Winter,,. Aerosmith.. Journey.. Genesis.. Jefferson Airplane.. Wild Orchid.. Black Sabbath.. Barry McGuire.. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.. Buffalo Springfield.. The Marshall Tucker Band.. The Byrds.. Bobby Gentry...... More to come as you acquire more knowledge about what I call the Classics.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
I can name the song that came with each new artist.... CLASSICS
@mikeplott481711 ай бұрын
Great Reaction 👍🙏
@kaychristensen439414 күн бұрын
I've had this LP since it came out. Enjoy! 😎
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Dylan like in her vivid story telling.
@Bluewizard713111 ай бұрын
Check out Fancy by Bobbie Gentry, another great story-telling song.
@djt851811 ай бұрын
Fancy
@tekay4411 ай бұрын
A-one story telling.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
"Ode To Billie Joe" It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day I was out choppin' cotton, and my brother was balin' hay And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat And mama hollered out the back door, y'all, remember to wipe your feet And then she said, I got some news this mornin' from Choctaw Ridge Today, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please There's five more acres in the lower forty I've got to plow And mama said it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow Seems like nothin' ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge And now Billy Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge And brother said he recollected when he, and Tom, and Billie Joe Put a frog down my back at the Carroll County picture show And wasn't I talkin' to him after church last Sunday night? I'll have another piece-a apple pie; you know, it don't seem right I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge And now ya tell me Billie Joe's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge And mama said to me, child, what's happened to your appetite? I've been cookin' all morning, and you haven't touched a single bite That nice young preacher, Brother Taylor, dropped by today Said he'd be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, oh, by the way He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge And she and Billy Joe was throwing somethin' off the Tallahatchie Bridge A year has come and gone since we heard the news 'bout Billy Joe And brother married Becky Thompson; they bought a store in Tupelo There was a virus going 'round; papa caught it, and he died last spring And now mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything And me, I spend a lot of time pickin' flowers up on Choctaw Ridge And drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchie Bridge
@marvinbone137910 ай бұрын
Bless you, aliasmark. this will be printed and put on my festivas cards this year. a dark southern festivas eve, theme. thanks, had never seen the lyrics. I am mostly Czech and needed help with the words.
@unclephil765011 ай бұрын
I'm not familiar with Billy Joe either. I really love your channel and that is one of the funniest things I've ever heard you say. Great song. I've never heard this live version.
@MelodyMan692 ай бұрын
There is something about an attractive 'southern girl' that makes you want to...well you know..🇦🇺
@chevychase6 ай бұрын
I was 13 years old in Atlanta when this song came out. It captivated all of us. There were debates over why Billie Joe committed suicide. I think most of us thought there was a child born out of wedlock which was thrown into the river. But it was fiction. It was a very very southern song, but it was very universal.
@susanengel-ix8bl3 ай бұрын
Check out the movie, ode to billie joe, it makes all kinds sense , really good movie.
@lindaellis-gt3io3 ай бұрын
Checkout her song fanci dont let me down.. you will love.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
JM... you like this story, wait until you hear this one... The Temptations - "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWbbcqepjcdrjNU
@unclephil765011 ай бұрын
You hit the nail right on the head. She has said in interviews that it is not important what they were throwing off of the bridge. She said the song is about how callous people can be. This person was obviously important to her but the rest of the family treated it just like any other piece of news. Personally it can be a few things but I always kind of leaned towards maybe she got pregnant and she was like some women who don't show until the later stages and the baby was born early and died. They threw the baby off the bridge to give it some kind of burial and to keep it secret. I also thought that maybe it could have been a ring that signified their relationship but in that scenario it probably would not have been the two of them. That is the beauty of the song. We will always speculate.
@AliasMark6911 ай бұрын
Many believe the baby theory, and he felt too much guilt.
@unclephil765011 ай бұрын
@@AliasMark69 yes
@GinMae11 ай бұрын
Thanks, JMboy! such a haunting and beautiful song.. Bobbie was was ahead of her time. appreciate your reaction!
@donnyduty255310 ай бұрын
Fancy is another good story song
@ljmbeasley11 ай бұрын
Listen to Potter's Wheel, by John Denver. Good message
@bartonknotts10168 ай бұрын
Wasn't it thier baby theye threw off the bridge....it also was made into a movie
@JoseGarcia-yi3kh2 ай бұрын
in an intervew, she calld this song a comment or example of uncontious cruelty.
@leahjeansonne98234 ай бұрын
The song is incredibly self explanatory. Billy Joe jumped off the bridge because she and Billy Joe threw an unexpected pregnancy off the bridge and the guilt he felt was too much for him to bear..
@scoopv11 ай бұрын
watch the movie😉😊
@karenrecore256410 ай бұрын
If you Watch the Movie, he was Raped Brother Taylor He told her what happened. It's been over 20 yrsI saw the movie. I believe her threw his underwear off the bridge. Now she spends time picking flowers and up on Choctaw ridge and dropping them off the Tallahatchie Bridge.
@rosemarywoolley83942 ай бұрын
Great song. But just a very normal reaction from a very tired family. Not cruel.
@ToneHobart5 ай бұрын
I was 6 when this song came out... Even then I think I understood it rather well. I always felt that She and billy Joe killed someone (Either accidentally or on purpose). Then, threw that person off the bridge together (The preacher said he saw someone that looked like her and she and Billy Joe were throwing "Something" off the bridge). Billy Joe's guilt over what happened caused him to jump from the bridge. The focus of the story is the cruelty of the people left behind. Nobody cares that Billy Joe Killed himself and are ready to move on with their lives. She is too wrapped up in her part of this to be able to care.
@thomastimlin172411 ай бұрын
Bobbie said the song wasn't about Billy Joe and the so called mystery as everyone assumed. It was about how insensitive and stupid people act when they hear news like this, and start running their mouth gossiping about people without knowing the facts...sound familiar? it's on the internet and media news 24/7
@billc.586111 ай бұрын
Bobbie was a talent all right but she got disillusioned with the music industry and stepped away from it. Are loss